Tragic Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Aviation Expert Analysis Reveals Critical Details as Pilot’s Final Communication Disclosed

A comprehensive examination of the catastrophic incident that claimed 241 lives and marked aviation’s deadliest crash in over a decade

Executive Summary

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in one of the most devastating aviation disasters in recent history. The incident claimed 241 lives out of 242 people aboard, with only one survivor emerging from the wreckage. This tragedy has prompted intensive investigation into potential aerodynamic failures, with aviation experts pointing to concerning details regarding the aircraft’s configuration during its final moments.

The Incident Overview

Flight Details and Timeline

Air India Flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM local time (08:09 UTC) on Thursday, June 12, 2025, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport with an expected arrival time of 6:25 PM local time. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, carried 242 individuals comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including the flight deck crew.

The passenger manifest revealed the international nature of the flight, consistent with the busy India-UK travel corridor. According to Air India’s official statement, those aboard included:

• 169 Indian nationals
• 53 British nationals
• 7 Portuguese nationals
• 1 Canadian national

The Crash Sequence

The aircraft achieved takeoff from Runway 23 but reached only approximately 625 feet of altitude before catastrophically losing power and descending rapidly. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the final signal from the aircraft was received just seconds after takeoff, with the flight path showing the plane traveling southwest from the airport before tracking abruptly ceased.

The Boeing 787 crashed into the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel complex in the densely populated Meghani Nagar residential area, approximately four miles from the airport. The impact occurred during lunch hour, when the medical students’ accommodation was occupied, resulting in additional casualties on the ground beyond those aboard the aircraft.

Expert Analysis: Critical Aerodynamic Concerns

Landing Gear and Flap Configuration Issues

Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein, speaking to Sky News, conducted a detailed analysis of available crash footage and identified several concerning technical anomalies that may have contributed to the aircraft’s inability to maintain flight.

Rosenschein’s primary observations focused on two critical systems:

Landing Gear Configuration: The expert noted that the aircraft’s landing gear remained in the extended position, stating, “It’s clearly got its [landing] gear down and that is not correct… it should have been up.” In normal takeoff procedures, landing gear retraction occurs shortly after liftoff to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Wing Flap Settings: Perhaps more critically, Rosenschein observed what appeared to be incorrect flap configuration, explaining, “From the video… it’s not immensely clear… but it does look like the aircraft didn’t have its take-off flap setting.” He emphasized the crucial role of wing flaps in providing additional lift at lower airspeeds, noting that proper flap extension “extends the shape of each wing and ultimately gives the plane the extra lift needed at lower speeds to take off and climb.”

Aerodynamic Implications

The expert’s analysis suggested that the combination of extended landing gear and potentially incorrect flap settings created a catastrophic aerodynamic situation. Rosenschein explained the consequences: “The aircraft would not have been able to maintain flight… It does look like it’s an aerodynamic issue because of not having the right flaps setting on take-off.”

Additional aviation experts have corroborated these concerns. Dan Bubb, an aviation safety specialist, told Newsweek that “gear retraction and flap extension are both critical for lift and speed. If the flaps malfunctioned, or if the pilot was unaware they hadn’t extended, it becomes very difficult to control the aircraft safely.”

The significance of these observations is amplified by the challenging environmental conditions on the day of the crash. With temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) in Ahmedabad, the reduced air density would have required optimal aircraft configuration and potentially longer runway distance for safe takeoff.

The Flight Crew and Final Communication

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal: A Veteran Aviator

The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a highly experienced Line Training Captain with Air India. With over two decades of service and 8,200 flight hours, Captain Sabharwal was among the select group of pilots qualified to operate Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for the national carrier since their introduction to the fleet in 2012.

Colleagues described Captain Sabharwal as disciplined, precise, and known for his adherence to safety protocols and composed demeanor in challenging situations. His extensive experience made him well-equipped to handle both routine operations and emergency situations, which makes the nature of this incident even more concerning from an investigative standpoint.

First Officer Clive Kundar

Assisting Captain Sabharwal was First Officer Clive Kundar, who had accumulated 1,100 hours of flight experience. While relatively newer to aviation compared to his captain, Kundar was trained and qualified for long-haul international operations and emergency procedures.

The Final Mayday Call

According to information released by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Sabharwal issued a desperate mayday call to air traffic control just 11 seconds after takeoff. The captain’s final communication was tragically brief but revealing: “Mayday… no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”

This emergency transmission provides crucial insight into the crisis unfolding in the cockpit. The reference to “no thrust” and “losing power” suggests a potential dual-engine failure or severe power loss, while “unable to lift” indicates the aircraft’s inability to maintain or gain altitude.

Following this mayday call, both pilots reportedly struggled for 17 seconds to regain control of the descending aircraft before it crashed into the medical college complex. Air traffic control attempted to respond to the emergency call but received no further communication from the flight deck.

Investigation Focus Areas

Technical Malfunctions Under Scrutiny

Aviation authorities are investigating multiple potential causes, with particular attention to:

Engine Performance: The pilot’s final words citing “no thrust” and “losing power” have directed investigators toward potential dual-engine failure scenarios. Some experts, including retired Air India Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar, have suggested the possibility of multiple bird strikes affecting both engines.

Flap System Malfunction: Given the expert observations about apparent flap configuration issues, investigators are examining whether mechanical failure or human error led to improper takeoff settings.

Landing Gear System: The extended landing gear position noted by experts requires investigation into whether this was intentional due to an emergency situation or the result of system malfunction.

Environmental and Operational Factors

Weather Conditions: The extremely high temperature of 40°C on the day of the crash reduced air density, requiring optimal aircraft performance for safe takeoff operations.

Runway Usage: Preliminary data suggests the aircraft may have used approximately 1,900 meters of the available 3,500-meter runway, potentially indicating insufficient speed for safe liftoff under the prevailing conditions.

Previous Technical Issues: Reports indicate the same aircraft experienced technical difficulties during a London-Delhi flight the evening before the crash, resulting in a 90-minute delay. This prior incident is now under scrutiny as potentially relevant to the investigation.

The Sole Survivor: A Remarkable Escape

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh: Seat 11A

In what investigators are calling miraculous, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, survived the catastrophic crash. Seated in 11A, adjacent to an emergency exit, Ramesh was able to escape the wreckage despite the devastating impact and subsequent fire.

According to police reports, Ramesh jumped from the emergency exit and was subsequently hospitalized for treatment of his injuries. His survival provides investigators with a crucial witness account of the final moments aboard the aircraft and the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Ramesh told media that he heard a loud noise shortly after takeoff, corroborating the timeline of events that led to the emergency situation. His testimony, combined with his unique perspective as the sole survivor, will be instrumental in understanding the sequence of events from a passenger’s viewpoint.

Broader Aviation Safety Implications

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Safety Record

This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft type entered commercial service in 2011. The Dreamliner had previously maintained an exemplary safety record, making this crash particularly significant for the aviation industry.

The timing of this incident is especially challenging for Boeing, which has faced intense scrutiny following previous safety issues with other aircraft types, particularly the 737 MAX series that was involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Air India’s Safety Focus

The crash represents a significant challenge for Air India, which was privatized and acquired by the Tata Group in 2022, subsequently merging with Vistara in 2024. The airline has been working to modernize its operations and enhance its safety culture as part of its transformation under new ownership.

This incident will undoubtedly prompt enhanced scrutiny of Air India’s training programs, maintenance procedures, and operational protocols, particularly for its Boeing 787 fleet operations.

Emergency Response and Recovery Operations

Immediate Response

Emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics, and rescue teams, responded rapidly to the crash site. The Indian Army deployed over 130 personnel, including medical specialists, to assist in rescue operations and casualty management.

The crash site presented significant challenges due to the aircraft’s high fuel load of approximately 125,000 liters, which fueled intense fires that complicated rescue efforts and contributed to the high casualty rate.

Recovery and Investigation

Authorities have successfully recovered one of the aircraft’s black boxes, which will provide crucial data about the flight’s final moments, including engine parameters, flight controls inputs, and cockpit voice recordings.

DNA testing procedures have been initiated to identify victims, with authorities collecting samples from families of those believed to have been aboard the flight. The challenging identification process reflects the severity of the impact and subsequent fire damage.

Government and International Response

Indian Government Action

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as “heartbreaking beyond words” and confirmed that his government would provide all necessary support for rescue operations and the investigation. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to coordinate their efforts.

International Cooperation

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the scenes as “devastating” and confirmed that the UK had activated crisis teams in both New Delhi and London to assist British nationals and their families affected by the tragedy.

The United States, through President Trump, offered immediate assistance to Indian authorities in the investigation and recovery efforts, demonstrating the international aviation community’s commitment to understanding and preventing such tragedies.

Industry-Wide Implications

Enhanced Safety Protocols

This incident will likely prompt reviews of takeoff procedures, particularly regarding:

• Pre-flight systems checks for flap and landing gear configuration
• Temperature-dependent takeoff calculations and runway requirements
• Emergency response protocols for dual-engine failures during critical flight phases

Training and Simulation

Airlines worldwide may enhance their pilot training programs to include additional scenarios involving flap malfunctions, gear system failures, and dual-engine emergencies during takeoff, based on the apparent circumstances of this crash.

Conclusion

The crash of Air India Flight AI171 represents a devastating loss of life and poses critical questions about aviation safety systems, aircraft configuration management, and emergency response procedures. The expert analysis highlighting potential issues with landing gear and flap settings, combined with the pilot’s final communication about power loss, provides investigators with crucial initial insights into this tragedy.

As the investigation continues under the leadership of India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with support from Boeing and international aviation authorities, the focus will remain on understanding the exact sequence of events that led to this catastrophic outcome. The findings will undoubtedly influence safety protocols, training procedures, and operational guidelines across the global aviation industry.

The sole survival of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh provides hope and a human perspective to this tragedy, while the loss of 241 lives serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of aviation safety systems and the ongoing need for vigilance in aircraft operations.

This incident underscores the complexity of modern aviation and the multiple systems that must function correctly for safe flight operations. As investigators work to determine the exact cause of this tragedy, the aviation community remains committed to learning from this incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The memory of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, First Officer Clive Kundar, and all those who perished in this tragedy will serve as a driving force for continued improvements in aviation safety and the protection of human life in air travel.